The Wallabies begin their Tour of Europe with a Test against France as player selections are still unclear.

France's head coach Philippe Saint Andre has played down his team's chances against the Wallabies ahead of their Test this weekend. Picture: AFP Source: AAP

THEY have the richest domestic league in the world but France's star-studded Top 14 weakens the chance of the French Test side beating the Wallabies in Paris, according to new coach Philippe Saint-Andre.

The former French Test centre, who took over from Marc Lievremont this year, said the challenge for Les Bleus against Australia on Sunday morning at Stade de France was immense given his side had only nine days preparation, as opposed to the Wallabies' three months.

Along with an increasing number of foreign stars like Jonny Wilkinson and Matt Giteau, French players are paid big bucks by their Top 14 clubs.

With the November Test window falling in the middle of the domestic season, clubs are loathe to lose players for any more time than necessary.

Saint-Andre's goal is to convince clubs to allow them to spend more time training with the Test team, but in the short-term, an under-prepared Les Bleus will have to rely on a "big spirit" to match the Wallabies.

"The league is so big, so much money, the player spends all their time with the club and not with us," Saint-Andre said.

"We know it will be tough. We are not favourites. Australia are the favourite because Australia are a team, they have been together since June and played 11 games together.

"We just have 9 days to put the team together. Australia will be more organised than us. We need a big spirit, a big commitment and well organised.

"We know that against Australia if you switch off for 10 minutes we can be behind on the score very badly."

Showing the guile he displayed on the field, Saint Andre talked down France's chances of beating the Wallabies; saying the physical but slow nature of the Top 14 could also see his players struggle to match Australia's fitness in the late stages.

"We know if they start going forward, and play with speed, it will be very hard for us," Saint Andre said.

"We need to first have a good set-piece and it is also better for us to have the ball, than to not have the ball.

"Because we know when Australia have the ball they are very powerful, they play some good rugby.

"The last two games they beat Argentina in Argentina, and drew against New Zealand but played very well.

"We know the last 20 minutes will be very, very tough. The French league is physical but it's not quick. We play 25-minutes of game time in 80 minutes. International rugby is 35-40 minutes. This is a big question, do we know if we are fit enough to carry on the 80 minutes against Australia?"

"We know it will be tough, it will be hard. But over 80 minutes, you never know. With the French team, you never know."

Unpredictability is a great asset of the French but Saint Andre is keen to see France play with more consistency. And that only comes with more preparation, he said.

"We need more time together. We have talents, we have a lot of young kids arrive and a new generation of players," Saint-Andre said.

France fielded the oldest squad at the World Cup last year, ultimately making the final, which they were unlucky to lose.

A swag of retirements and Saint Andre's arrival has seen France enter a generational transition; with the coach focusing on going one better at the 2015 World Cup with a new crop.

"We need guys, maybe they are not ready yet but will be ready in two or three years for the world cup and this is my big challenge, trying to change the mentality of French rugby and say, 'yes, we need young kids - maybe we'll lose a few games but we need to work and see the big picture, not just see now, but to see the future'."

Saint-Andre's side finished fourth in the Six Nations, and lost to Argentina in June. But he is a canny character, and is no doubt keen to under-promise and over-deliver with his French side.

What was achieved at the 2011 World Cup proves with sufficient preparation, France can dominate, Saint-Andre said.

"It showed them that when the guys have time together to have the same level of fitness and same level of preparation, we can beat any team in the world," he said.

"But my big challenge is here, is to try to beat the second best team in the world at the moment, Australia, in nine days."

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